states in 1969 , and the british withdrawal ' east of suez ' in the early 1970s , australia developed a defence policy emphasis ##ing self @ - @ reliance and the defence of the australian continent . known as the defence of australia policy , it focused australian defence planning on protecting the nation ' s northern maritime approaches ( the ' air @ - @ sea gap ' ) against possible attack . in line with this goal , the ad ##f was rest ##ructured to increase its ability to strike at enemy forces from australian bases and to counter raids on continental australia . this was achieved by increasing the capabilities of the ran and raaf , and relocating regular army units to northern australia
states in 1969, and the british withdrawal'east of suez'in the early 1970s, australia developed a defence policy emphasising self @ - @ reliance and the defence of the australian continent. known as the defence of australia policy, it focused australian defence planning on protecting the nation's northern maritime approaches ( the'air @ - @ sea gap') against possible attack. in line with this goal, the adf was restructured to increase its ability to strike at enemy forces from australian bases and to counter raids on continental australia. this was achieved by increasing the capabilities of the ran and raaf, and relocating regular army units to northern australia